Bobby Reid scores two as emotional fans, staff and players unite in touching Sala tribute

CARDIFF paid tribute to missing striker Emiliano Sala with an emotional 2-0 victory over Bournemouth.

Birthday boy Bobby Reid netted a brace as the Bluebirds produced a passionate performance to seal a vital win in their bid to beat the drop.

Emotions ran high before kickoff as Cardiff City paid tribute to their lost forward Sala and pilot David Ibbostson.

The whole of the stadium’s Canton Stand held cards aloft to spell out Sala’s name in the colours of his native Argentina before a touching minute of silent reflection.

Bluebirds stars looked to be on the verge of tears, but they channelled their emotions to stun Bournemouth inside five minutes.

Steve Cook had a moment of madness when he threw up an arm to block Josh Murphy’s cross and referee Jonathan Moss pointed to the spot.

Reid, 26, stepped up and coolly sent the penalty straight down the middle and into the back of the net, before paying tribute to his missing team-mate by holding up a T-shirt displaying Sala’s face.

Bournemouth finally found their rhythm after 27 minutes but a long range effort from Andrew Surman was spectacularly tipped onto the bar by Neil Etheridge.

It took just 15 seconds of the second-half for Reid to complete his brace and breathe fresh hope of beating the drop into the Cardiff crowd.

The attacking midfielder beat the offside trap to latch on to Aron Gunnarsson’s ball over the top and kept his composure to take it around Boruc and roll it over the line.

Nathan Ake almost sparked a late comeback when he rose above Bruno Manga, but his header flew wide.

And Cardiff sat back and held on to move just two points behind 17th placed Burnley ahead of next Saturday’s clash with resurgent Southampton.